Niles watched as Daphne walked up the stairs, carrying their week-old baby. His heart swelled with love for both of them. He was used to feeling an enormous amount of love for Daphne, but the new feelings he had for David were something entirely different. This love came with a sense of fear he'd never known before. This baby was his responsibility, his and Daphne's. So many things could go wrong, especially in these first months.

As these thoughts continued to swirl in his mind, Niles was almost unaware that he'd picked up the phone and begun to dial. Dealing with what was going on his life was hard enough, but facing it without his brother and best friend was almost too much. "Frasier?" Niles said when he heard the familiar voice on the other end.

"Niles! How's parenthood?" Frasier asked. He hadn't quite settled into living in Chicago yet. It broke his heart to be so far away from his family, especially his new nephew, but he knew he had to follow his heart.

"It's scary. I look at David, and I just keep thinking how many things could go wrong. Every day, I hear from parents who have irreparably damaged relationships with their children. Or worse. Frasier, I don't know if I can do this."

"What you're going through is perfectly normal. Every new parent is scared at first. It's a big adjustment. You're going to be a wonderful father. Why, just look at the example you've given me. I saw what happened to you by choosing love over everything else, and now here I am with Charlotte."

"But having a child isn't the same as being with Daphne. I was preparing to love Daphne long before that Winnebago. I'm not ready for this."

"Yes, you are," Frasier sad emphatically. "You've had practice."

Niles laughed. "Really? I don't recall that."

"Niles, how can you not remember? You carried a flour sack around for a week! The poor thing was covered in bandages, set on fire, and attacked by Eddie!"

"Oh, yes, thank you for reminding me of that! Now I feel much better!" Niles said sarcastically.

"Calm down, I wasn't making fun of you. I'll admit that your attempt at so-called parenthood was less than stellar. As silly as it was, you were devoted to that sack of flour. You were determined to be a good father to it, no matter how hard it was."

Memories flooded Niles' mind. Even after several accidents, he'd refused to give up on his experiment. At the time, he'd decided his apparent failure was a sign. He simply wasn't cut out to be a father. He still wasn't sure if he was. "Frasier, that wasn't even a living thing. This time, the stakes are much higher. You're my older brother; I've always looked up to you. Aren't there some words of advice you can give me?"

"I'm afraid not. I won't lie to you; fatherhood isn't easy. But I think it'll be better for you than it's been for me. You know you've married the right person. Whatever happens, you and Daphne can handle it together. I don't think there's ever been a child more loved than David. It may seem trite, but those things make a big difference in how a child turns out."

Niles felt his anxieties lessen just the slightest bit. "Thank you, Frasier."

"My pleasure, Niles. I may not be on the radio anymore, but I'm still here for you. You know that, don't you?"

"Of course," Niles said, feeling his voice break. All the years of rivalry now seemed silly. In the end, he and his brother had found a bond that was unshakeable. It was yet another thing he was grateful for.

"If it helps you at all, I would wager that Daphne is having similar doubts. I'm sure if you two talked about it, it would put both of your minds at ease."

Niles' first instinct was to scoff. How on earth could Daphne think she wouldn't be a good mother? No one was more nurturing than she. But this was as much of an adjustment for her as it was for him. Of course she would be scared. "I...I hadn't thought of that." He was ashamed to admit that he'd been so wrapped up in his own emotions, he'd never even considered his wife's.

"Niles, no one is expecting you to be perfect. Not even David. All you and Daphne have to worry about is loving him. Everything else will fall into place. Trust me."

"Thank you, Frasier. I love you."

"I love you, too. So do your wife and son. Go to them."

"I will."

"Good luck. You're going to be fine."

"Thanks. So will you."